Kickboxing and boxing are wonderful aerobic exercises, but what many people don't realize is that the punching exercises involved are also a great way to tone your upper body as well as your core muscles. Punching exercises are not just for boxers or fighters looking to get into shape and learn techniques. Kickboxing and boxing provide a great workout for just about anybody and the best part is that, not only will you get an aerobic workout that will help you burn calories, but you will also get a resistance workout which will help you sculpt and tone your body.

There are plenty of different punching exercises that a person can do. If you are just looking to do different punching exercises, you can easily make up your own routine of sets of different punches. Some of the most common punches are: jab, hook, cross, and uppercut. If you have more coordination and you want to also get in an aerobic workout, you can put the punches together to form combination moves as well, such as jab then uppercut with the same arm.

The most basic punch in kickboxing and boxing is the jab. Here is how you can do a basic jab punch:

1. Stand with your left leg slightly in front of the right and approximately shoulder-length apart. You should not be completely facing forward but your body should be turned to the side.
2. Place both of your arms up in front of your face with a closed fist. This is the basic guard position for all punches.
3. Step slightly forward with your left leg as you push off with the right.
4. At the same time extend your left arm straight forward, without locking the elbow as you quickly take a jab and bring your arm back to guard position.

Punching exercises will not only work your upper body, but they can also work your abdominal muscles as well. The twisting of your upper body works to slim your abs and hips. If you really want to get a full body workout while punching, then lower your stance so you are in more of a squat position as this will work your legs and butt as well. Once you become more advanced don't be afraid to add weighted gloves to your punching workouts.

When the treadmill routine is getting tiresome and fitness classes at the gym have become a bore, maybe it's time to spice things up with some dance moves! Dancing is a great way to increase stamina and endurance, and many types of dances qualify as a great aerobic workout. While you might not get a Dancing with the Stars-esque body after your routines, you will be on your way to better health when you show off those moves consistently. Here are a few high-calorie burning dance routines that may just get you into shape this season:

Hip Hop: You don't have to be an MTV-enthusiast to learn the basics of hip-hop dancing, and incorporate them into your aerobic workouts. Hip hop dance classes give you the best of both worlds with jumps, twists and high-energy moves that will get your heart pumping. Plus, you can groove to your favorite rap or R&B artist.

Ballroom dancing: While you might not think the slow-paced moves of the fox trot or the tango can burn a lot of calories, the American College of Sports Medicine reports that you can add thousands of steps to your daily walking total with these fun social dances. They're a low-intensity aerobics routine that require concentration and focus, and will get your entire body moving in no time.

Latin Dancing: The samba, cha cha, paso doble and rumba are just a few popular dance styles that are sure to turn up the heat for your fitness routine! These types of dances encourage constant movement and focus on controlling the hips and lower back. They're also a lot of fun, and you can burn several hundred calories per hour practicing and performing these fun routines.

Tap: If you have two left feet, learning how to tap dance will help you become a dance pro in no time. Tap dancing encourages constant lower body movements, and will also help you improve your posture. You'll learn the art of the stomp, and can fine-tune your rhythm skills to deliver a spectacular performance!

From hip hop to salsa, you have some options outside the gym for keeping up with your fitness resolutions. Put on those dancing shoes and choose any of these fun routines to burn some extra calories every week!